Really nice cockpit, Michael. What material are the HGW seatbelts?

Wow Michael, really nice pit, is that all kit or is there scratch work as well?

As for dust, during the Japanese invasion and early occupation of New Britain (Rabaul) one of the volcanoes was constantly erupting.

Just reading 'Fortress Rabaul' at the moment and got to the part were Type-1 (Betty) bombers go after the USS Lexington for the first time (most being shot down), they are described as being weather worn and sun bleached in old green/brown camo but with fresh white unit markings.

If your book tells you I would be interested to know if the Japanese were flying carrier type Zeros i.e. did they still have there landing hook gear or that was covered up. (the Tamiya kit is based around the Zeros that took part in the Pearl Harbor attack) so I am not sure whether I should cover it up or leave it.

cheers
Michael

Michael, a quick check has revealed this for your pilot Saburo Sakai;
The 'Rei-sen' of the Tainan Air Group accounted well for themselves, downing nine Wildcats but the units popular torch bearer, Saburo Sakai, was critically wounded. Spying what he thought was a covey of Wildcats he stumbled into a formation of Dauntlesses and was caught in the heavy crossfire. Bullets shattered the canopy of his Zero and a .30 caliber round struck the metal frame of his flight goggles just above his right eye. The slug creased his skull rather than enter his brain, but the eye was permanently blinded. Bleeding profusely and temporarily paralysed on the left side from the bullets impact he held his fighter in the air for the 650 mile flight back to Rabaul. He remained out of action for almost two years.

This happened very early in the campaign before 8th August, there were about equal amounts of A6M2 'Zeke's' and A6M3 'Hamp's' 40 each by mid '42. The older Zeke's were transferred from carrier air groups in the months after the invasion of New Britain so we can assume they still had the arresting gear. The Hamp's with nonfolding wings arrived mid '42.

Hope that helps.

Great work Michael,

That cockpit looks like you could climb in and fly off.

Looking forward to seeing more progress.

Cheers.

Si